Natural Flu Remedies and Prevention

It has been a bad year for the flu so far in Canada, particularly for Influenza A (H3N2). Even those who received the flu shot are coming up short on defenses with a mix of outdated strains. Any natural defense we can use to boost our immune system will go a long way in preventing many days of misery, or even a life-threatening condition.

Prevention and treatment of viral infections may be the same or different. A flu strain may be immune to some cytokines produced by our bodies in abundance when we ingest certain anti-viral foods and herbs. This can be detrimental if we are fighting one of these immune viruses because the body will over-produce those cytokines. In effect, the body will attack itself. This is why we should never take Echinacea, algae, and some other anti-virals when we are sick with an unidentified virus. These details and contradictions are what makes it so important to consult a doctor if we have symptoms of the flu. Otherwise, we can use antivirals freely as a preventative measure.

Naturally-derived nutrients that are proven to help fight viral infections include Vitamins A, C and E, Selenium and Zinc. Look for foods high in antioxidants, carotene and lysine to boost immunity. Science has proven time and time again that the digestive system is also closely connected to the immune system, which makes probiotics and prebiotics a valuable partner in the fight against the flu.

Fresh is best! Sometimes powdered or extract forms of herbs are easier to mix in with other foods or to take as supplements. The key is to find a supplier that uses fresh herbs and low-heat processing for a full range of benefits. We rely on Starwest Botanicals for many of our bulk herbs.

Chicken or turkey soup may be an old remedy but science has since proven it to be beneficial, especially for respiratory illness. It allows us to combine many of the above vegetables and herbs. Avoid over-cooking to retain as many of the beneficial components as possible.

??? What do you do to prevent the flu? Please add your comments below.

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5 Responses to "Natural Flu Remedies and Prevention"

Glenna Roy April 13, 2019

I aboslutely swear by garlic and turmeric! I start overdosing on both when I get a cold and it’s always shorter than the rest of the family. They still won’t listen to me and take some though. They get that stubborness from me! I make soups with it when they’re sick though so they still get some to help. Every little bit helps!!

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